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The Diabetes WA Helpline provides free comprehensive access to personalised diabetes management advice and support from a credentialed diabetes educator. Meet our educators as they share some of the common concerns they hear from our members.
Christine Carne Christy is a credentialed diabetes nurse educator who has worked in the diabetes field for more than 20 years in various roles including diabetes research, children’s diabetes and community diabetes education. For the past seven years she has been employed at Diabetes WA in clinical, telehealth and community education roles. Christy’s passion is to assist people living in regional and remote WA being a country girl at heart herself. After spending two years establishing the Diabetes Telehealth Service for regional WA, she is now focussed on providing her expertise on the Diabetes WA Helpline. She says empowering people with diabetes, their family, and carers to troubleshoot and self-manage their health via the helpline is especially rewarding.
Can I be vegetarian if I have diabetes? The simple answer is – yes, of course! Around 2.5 million Australians (12.1% of the population) now have diets of which the food is all, or almost all, vegetarian, which is up from under 2.2 million (11.2%) four years ago. There are several types of vegetarian diets: 1.
Lacto-vegetarian: includes milk and dairy products but no meat, poultry, seafood or eggs.
2. Ovo-vegetarian: includes eggs but no meat, poultry, seafood or dairy. 3. Lacto-ovo vegetarian: includes dairy and eggs but no meat, poultry or seafood. 4. Pescatarian: includes seafood, and can include dairy and eggs, but not meat or poultry. 5. Vegan: Excludes all meats and foods of animal origin (this may include honey). 6. Flexitarian: eats a mostly plant-based diet but may have the occasional meat-based meal. There are many reasons why people follow vegetarian eating patterns – ethical, moral, cultural, religious, animal welfare and environmental concerns, financial, personal taste and, of course, for the health benefits. Researchers have found that vegetarianism may benefit diabetes management for adults with type 2 diabetes through: 1.
Greater weight loss
2. Increased insulin sensitivity and improved glucose control
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3. A reduction in heart and blood vessel risk factors (such as lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure) These diets have also been shown to reduce the risk of other health conditions such as some types of cancer and diverticular disease. It is thought that people who are vegetarian may have a lower energy consumption, eat lower glycaemic index carbohydrates, and have a higher intake of healthy fats, fibre, plant sterols, antioxidants, micronutrients, and prebiotics than meat eaters. If you are looking to adopt a plant-based diet to potentially improve your health, a vegetarian diet might be worth trying. Remember vegetarian diets come in many forms, so it’s not always an all-or-nothing situation. You may wish to start slowly by adding in one vegetarian meal per week and build up as you get more used to following this eating style. There is generally more carbohydrate in plant-based protein sources, so it is possible that your carbohydrate intake may increase when you switch to a vegetarian diet. However, you can still pick foods that are high in fibre, select low glycaemic index options and always be mindful of your portion sizes. Remember extra or empty kilojoules can creep into any type of diet, meat free or not. Another point to consider is that vegans or vegetarians can be at risk of not getting enough nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamin B12, iron and zinc. Consider adding foods that are rich sources of these nutrients to your diet to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. A vegetarian diet does not have to be more expensive and may often be cheaper. Frozen vegetables are just as good as fresh. You can also buy canned vegetables and dried foods such as beans, peas, quinoa, lentils and rice in bulk and store for a long time. If you have more fresh seasonal vegetables than you need, you can use the leftovers in other recipes or freeze. While shifting to vegetarianism is likely safe for most adults, there are some special considerations for children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is advisable to discuss any major changes to your diet or lifestyle with your doctor. It is also recommended to be more vigilant about monitoring your glucose levels when changing your eating style. Adjustments to your medications or insulin may also be required. Be patient and give yourself time to adapt. If you need help starting, planning, or
improving your vegetarian or vegan diet then please ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian who is familiar with both vegetarian eating and diabetes. Alternatively, you can speak with a Diabetes Educator on the Diabetes WA Helpline on: 1300 001 880 Or email: info@diabeteswa.com.au People who live in regional WA can also access a Diabetes Dietitian or Diabetes Educator for free via video conference on the Diabetes Telehealth Service. If you are looking for vegan and vegetarian recipe ideas,we recommend these websites: Diabetes Australia Recipes - Diabetes Australia (diabetesaustralia.com.au/food-activity/ cooking/recipes) Heart Foundation Vegetarian recipes (heartfoundation.org.au)
Using the Diabetes WA Helpline for Non-English Speakers How do I speak to someone about diabetes in my own language? Call the National Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to call Diabetes WA Helpline on 1300 001 880. The Translating and Interpreting Service is available to any individual or organisation in Australia, which means non-English speakers can access services and information over the phone in their own language.
What is the Diabetes WA Helpline? The Diabetes WA helpline connects you with a diabetes educator who can provide information and advice on managing diabetes. They can help you to solve problems or issues that arise. If needed they can refer you onto other health care professionals or services.
When can I call the Diabetes WA Helpline? Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
What happens when I call TIS National? 1.
Call 131 450.
2. An automated prompt will ask you which language you need. Please state the language that you require.
